Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 20: The Domicile notification issued by the Government has evoked mixed response from various organizations and political leaders in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
While welcoming the J&K Domicle Certificate (Procedure) Rules 2020 after a tele-meeting, the Dogra Sadar Sabha (DSS) sought enhanced scope for the said rules issued wide J&K Government notification dated May 18, 2020. Former minister and president DSS , Th Gulchain Singh Charak welcomed the orders but highlighted that the rules are silent about our J&K population in illegal captivity at Gilgit- Baltistan and PoJK for whom, we have reserved seats. Are they not entitled to the domicile certificate? Similarly, those who migrated to other countries like UK, USA and Myanmar to save their faith and honour should be entitled to their roots like those in other parts of India.
DSS members felt that while accommodating Central Government officers of IAS/ IPS cadre, Universities, PSUs and banks, the Government have out rightly ignored the Indian Armed Forces and PMFs personnel who by virtue of their service conditions may not serve for ten years in any place but make supreme sacrifices for protection/ defence of J&K. DSS demanded that families of martyrs and gallantry awarded warriors, in line of duty in J&K, be honoured by the J&K Domicile certificate waving off the ten year stipulation like Himachal.
RS Chib, former minister and senior Congress leader said that the Domicile law notified by the Govt of J&K UT has fully exposed the anti- people and especially anti- youth face of the BJP. Chib said has been repeatedly assuring the people of J&K and the youth in particular, for safeguarding their rights in jobs and lands. However, he said that the shape and spirit of the Domicile law is totally against their assurances and commitments. He said that it is most unfortunate that this law is being notified by the UT Govt when the people are seriously fighting the deadly Corona virus pandemic. This is a reflection of the mindset of the BJP, which is totally anti- people and undemocratic.
While referring to the PM package, Chib said that the farmers MSME sector and small traders have been neglected in the same. The common man is going through a very difficult phase, because of prolonged lockdown and they are under serious financial crisis. He made special mention about the suffering of the farmers because of the failures of both Kharif and Rabi crops in the Border areas of Kathua, Samba and Jammu. The farmers in these districts and specially along the International Border are in great depression and distress. Chib urged upon the UT Govt to grant special relief to the farmers, out of the PM package.
NPP chairman and former minister Harsh Dev Singh while lambasting the Govt over the newly released domicile rules for J&K UT, described the notification as an obnoxious piece of super-imposed legislation enacted by the executive authority by defying the popular sentiment in the State.
Seeking its review in the ultimate interests of the educated youth of J&K, he said that the new set of rules would include several outsiders within the ambit of Domicile Law, entitle them to avail Domicile certificate and ultimately enable them to encroach upon the share of educated unemployed youth in Govt jobs in J&K.
Calling for a relook into the provisions allowing outsiders to become domicile of J&K, the NPP Chairman torched the effigy of the BJP led Govt asserting that the educated youth of erstwhile State had once again been cheated by the saffron regime.
Referring to some of the objectionable clauses in the new notification, Singh maintained that thousands of labour force, construction workers, traders etc. from various States of the country including Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, Oddisha, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, etc. had been staying in J&K for the last several years and the new rules would automatically make them eligible not only for Domicile Certificates but also for Govt jobs in J&K which would operate harshly against the local youth whose share in services would further shrink. Not only that the opening of jobs for Central Govt employees of other States as also those outside students who pass their 10th and 12th class with a minimum stay of seven years as they would also become eligible for Govt jobs thereby depriving the local youth of even the negligible job avenues in J&K. This proposition was in complete antithesis of what was assured to the J&K youth prior to August 5, 2019 and has had the effect of dampening their morals.
Singh expressed dismay over the negligible formalities prescribed under new rules for availing the Domicile Certificate. “It was amazing to know that a simple document like Ration Card, or, Electricity bill or educational record or even a labour card was sufficient for persons from other States having minimum prescribed stay in J&K to become its domicile. He said the notification on Domicile rules had come as a bolt from the blue shattering all hopes of the educated youth who were made to wait for the list ten months with false hopes of a better future. The BJP Govt must understand that antagonizing the unemployed youth could have catastrophic fallouts,” Singh said.
BJP leader and former MoS, Priya Sethi welcomed Domicile Law and lauded the J&K UT Administration for making the much-awaited significant announcement despite ongoing fight against Covid-19.
Sethi expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister, Home Minister and the Lt Governor of J&K UT, for timely rectifying the Domicile law which will give a dignified life to several communities residing in Jammu and Kashmir. She lauded the Central Government for positively responding to the genuine demands of West Pakistan refugees, Valmikis, Ghorkhas and others living in different parts of Jammu since 1947.
Terming law as historic, she said that the new rules will bring justice to lakhs of people which had denied since 1947. She stated that the PM and HM have rekindled a ray of hope and sense of belongingness among this community, which had remained neglected by the successive regimes since Independence.
Senior JKPCC leader and former MLC, G N Monga while terming the new Domicile rules unacceptable and unjustified, said that such issues should have been left for the elected representatives to be decided.
While reacting to rules, Monga said that at a time when whole world is focusing on Covid-19 pandemic, BJP Govt is issuing orders at frequent intervals and psychologically torturing the people of J&K. He termed the new Domicile law against the wishes and interests of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. It is humiliating and subjugating people of J&K.
Asking Govt of India to immediately roll back the notification, the Congress leader said, ” The priority of the Government should be to contain the spread of Coronavirus in the country as well as in J&K.”
Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party (JKAP) today appealed the Lt Governor Girish Chander Murmu to consider existing state subjects of the residents of the Union Territory as domicile certificates.
In a statement issued here, the J&K Apni Party, senior leader, Vikram Malhotra said that the existing people having state subject certificates of erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir should be considered as domicile. “They should not be forced to stand in queues for new domicile certificates which would be injustice for the residents, who have already completed their documents, and it would create chaos in the society,” he said.
He appealed that the Government should use technology in this case to find out existing people who have the State Subjects and it should be considered as their domicile.
Shree Amar Kashatriya Rajput Sabha, Billawar unit, led by Raj Kumar along with general secretary Randhir Singh Kotwal and Hukum Singh and other members complimented the PM and HM for the new Domicile law and maintained that it will provide justice to all the sections of society.
Kashmiri Khatri Hindu Maha Sabha, chairman Ramesh Chander Mahajan also lauded the new Domicile rules and termed it as a historical decision and a step in right direction.
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel